Cricket Australia is preparing for arbitration over its long-running pay dispute

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said that a “peace plan” has been put forward to the Australian Cricketers’ Association to allow matches to go ahead on short term contracts.

Sutherland told media in Melbourne on Thursday afternoon that a response to the proposal was expected by “early next week” and that any “residual issues” would be taken to arbitration beyond that time.

“Now is the time to get on and get played,” he said. “To use cricket parlance, we are prepared to accept the umpire’s decision.”

The governing body for the sport in Australia has been locked in a dispute over pay and conditions with its professional players. While negotiations stalled, players contracts expired at the end of June, putting the game into a “lockout” situation and forcing the cancellation of a tour for the Australia “A” team.

The Australian men’s team has a contest against Bangladesh and a home Ashes series against England coming up, while the women’s team is also due to face England in October.

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